Valve actuator



Sept. 7 1926.

c. R. GREUTER VALVE ACTUATOR Filed y 1922 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 juucnfoc Sept. 7 1926.

c. R. GREUTER VALVE ACTUATOR Filed May 2, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w kw grmenl'oz Char-\e: R. G reui'e Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,716

C. R. GREUTER VALVE ACTUATOR 3 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed May 22, 1922 Charles R .Greufer buretors.

as applied to such a carburetor.

S;. PATE.NT orries.

cmtns -n. ensures, or enhance, more.

7 VALVE acrua'ron.

a lic tion ha :2, 1922. Serial m. seaaso.

This invention relates. to means for actu-' ati two valves in timed relation, and par, ticu arly'the throttle valves of du lex-car- The invention will be escribed I It hasbeen the practice heretofore, in the case of large engines, to make'use of carburetors having a plurality of jets and a plu rality of mixing tubes or Venturi tubes, one' tube for each et and each tube being controlled by an individual throttle valve.

Various mechanisms have heretofore been provided to operate these valves, and certain of them have functioned to open one valve partially, then, start the opening movement of the second valve and thereafter com lete thenppening movement of the two va ves.

e tion an provides a very simple and compact mechanism of attractive appearance, which not only insures the proper sequence of operation of the valves, but insures comlete opening of both valves at the final limit of motion of the device, and also permits adjustment of the point the opening movement of the first throttle at which the open:

ingmovement of the second throttle-com Inences. This adjustment requiresno other or compensating adjustments, and is efi'ected merely by loosening one screw and shifting a stop to the desired position. The invention also permits, the inclusion ofa stop which limits the closing movement. of the first throttle to give the desired idling adjustment. The parts are so contrived that neither-of the adjustments above mentioned afiects or modifies the other.

To secure the 'best arrangement of the parts, the carburetor is constructed with two parallel mixing.tubes. The two throttles, one for each mixin tube, are mounted coaxially'. The secon which opens later) is fixed to a shaft and the first throttle (i. e.,- the one which has the idling adjustment and which first comm'ences to open) is fixed to a sleeve surrounding that shaft and extending with the shaft to one Side of thecarburetor.

The actuating device is journaled on the sleeve between two cylindrical housings,'one of which is fixed to the shaft, andthe other of which is formed integrally with the sleeve. These housings serve to su port and enclose certain of the stops an springs hereafter mentionul. The actuating member is connected to the sleeve which carries resent invention involves this func- .be held closed b throttle (i .e. the one the first throttle by means of a coil spring, and this coilspringproduces engagement between two stops, one on the sleeve and the other on the actuator.

When the actuator is moved in throttl opening direction, the throttle is turned in its opening direction by stress exerted through the spring, so that, if the throttle l is arrested as it is when it reaches its fully opened position, the actuator may move further by merely .stressing the spring connec tion. The first throttle is arrested in' its fully openedposition by a fixed stop, while .its movements in a closing direction are limited by an adjustable stop .which may be set to give any desired idling adjustment of the throttle. The second throttle is ur ed to its fully closed position by means 0 a coil spring'connected to its shaft at the end opposite from ,the throttle "actuator and,

at this point, there is also located a stop.

which limits the opening movement of the throttle.

The point at which .the throttle actuator commences to open the second throttle is determined by the engagement of-two sto s, oneon the actuator and the other on t e housing fixed to the shaft of the second throttle. One of these. stops is adjustable and may be set to cause the second throttle to commence its 0 ening movement at any desired point in tlie opening movement of the first throttle.

hen the throttle actuator is in its'throttle closing position, the second throttle will its sprin and the first throttle will be old by t e actuator as nearly closed as the idling adjustment ermits, If the throttle actuator is turn in thrott e opening direction, it first movesthe first t rottle through the spring connection between the actuator and the sleeve. As this motion continues, the inter-engagement of the stops between the actuator and the second throttle will result in the opening movement of the second t ottle.

From then on, the two ottles move conjointly, the first throttle moving in advance of the second until the first throttle reaches The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 13 a front view, partly in elevation l and partly in section, showing the invention applied to a duplex carburetor of the well known Zenith type. In this view, the valves are shown in their closed positions. 1

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, a

1 portion of one housing being broken away to illustrate the stops;

, Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of ig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to 2, 3, 4 and 5, showing the positions assumed by the parts at the moment when the opening movement of the second throttle commences.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, showing the positions assumed b the arts when the first throttle has reac 'ed' y opened'position and can move no further.

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are views similar to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, showin the sitions assumed by the parts when th t ttles have reached fully opened osition.

Fig. 16 is a rspec ve view of thesecond throttle assem led with its shaft and stop housings.

Fi 17 and 18 are ective views of the rst throttle assembl with its sleeve and housing. Inthese views, certain parts are broken away to reveal details of construction which would otherwise be hidden. Figs. 19 and 20 are perspective views of the actuator and its connected parts, the two views showing opposite faces of the actuator.

The discharge tube for cabureted air is shown at 21 and is provided with flanges 22 by means of which it is connected with th intake manifold of the engine.

Communicating with the connectiop 21 are the two mixing tubes 23 and 24 which, in the example shown, are parallel and vertical. Mounted in these mixing tubes are the usual jets or nozzles, not shown, which are fed from a float chamber 25. The float chamber receives gasoline through a connection 26.

All the parts so far described are of usual construction and their exact form is not material to the present invention.

Mounted in the tube 23 is a throttle 27 which is fast on the tubular sleeve 28.

Mounted in the mixing tube 24 is a throttle 29 which is fast on a shaft 30. The shaft 30 extends up beyond the body of the carburetor to the left (with reference to Fig. 1) and there is provided with a cupshaped housing 31 which is pinned to the shaft 30. The rim of the housing 31 is cut away, as shown at 32 and co-acts with a stop 33 formed integrally with the body of the carburetor to limit the opening and closing movements of the throttle 29.

A. spr' 34, connected to the stop 33 and to a pin 35 set in the housing 31, tends to rotate the housing 31 and its connected shaft 30 in such direction as to close the valve 29. The shaft 30 extends to the right through the sleeve 28 beyond the body of the carburetor. with a cylindrical cup-like housing 36 and within and beyond this with a journal 37o Pinned to the right-hand end of the shaft 30 is a cup-shaped housing 38 which is reversely arranged with reference to the housing 36, and so proportioned as to leave a narrow intervening space between its rim and the rim of the cup-shaped housing 36. Swiveled on the tubular extension 37, and confined between housings 36 and 38, is the The sleeve 28 is formed throttle actuator which consists of hub portion 39 which carries at its left end a flange 40, and which carries at its middle a circa-- lar disk 41. The disk 41 is of such diameter that it extends between and slightly beyond the rims of the housings 36 and 38. It is provided with two arms 42 and 43 to which any actuating linkages may be connected by means of the journals 44 and 45. In the case of an automobile, for example, one such linkage might be connected to a control lever on the steering column, and the "other to a pedal or so-called accelerator mounted on the foot-board.

A coil spring 46 surrounds the hub 39 between the flange 40 and ,the disk 41 andis so connected to a pin 47 fast on the disk 41, and to a pin 48 fast in the-housing 36,- that it tends to hold the pin 47 against a stop 49 fixed in the housing 36. The parts are so arranged that, when the disk 41 is-rotated in a direction to open the throttle 27 the throttle is opened by the stress exerted through the spring 46. If the throttle-be arrested, the disk 41 may continue its motion, stressing the spring 46 so that the pin 47 moves away from the etc 49.

Mounted on the opposite side of the disk 41 from pin 47 is a stop lug'50. This stop lug is arranged to collide with an adjustable stop 51 mounted in and carried by the housing 38. To permit adjustment of the stop 51, recourse is had to a screw 52 threaded into the stop 51 and extending through an arcuate slot 53 in the housing 38. The length of this slot is such that the desired range of angular adjustment is secured.

To limit the opening and closing movements of the first throttle 27, a stop lug 54 is formed on the body of the carburetor and is straddled by two lugs 55 and 56 extending from the housing 36. The lug 55 is so positioned as to arrest the housing 36 when the stop 51 are shown in Figs. 6 to first throttle 27 is in its fullyopened position. The action .of lug 56 is rendered adjustable by means of a screw 57 which is threaded in the lug 56, and whose end serves as an adjustable stop, the end of the screw 57 engaging the lug 54. The adjustment of the screw 57 limits the movement of the throttle 27 in a closing direction and thus determines the idling adjustment of the carburetor.

The operation-of the device can now be traced in detail. Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive show the parts in the positions which they assume when the throttle actuator is set to cause the engine to idle under noJoad. In this position, spring 34 is holding valve 29 closed and disk 41 is rotated as far as it will go in a clockwise direction (with reference to Fig. 2). Hence, the inter-engagement of stops 47 and 49 causes housing 36 to be similarly urged and thus holds stop screw 57 against stop lug 54. The adjustment of the screw 57 determines how much the valve 27 will be opened at this time.

. Ifcthe disk 41 be rotated counter clockwise (with reference to Fig. 2), the spring 46 will rotate the valve 27 in its opening direction, there being at this time no resistance to su h opening movement of the valve. consetpiently, the pin 47 and stop 49 remain in contact with each other under stress exerted by spring 46. As the opening movement of valve 47 continues, a point will be reached when stop 50 engages stop 51. This point may be adjusted by loosening screw 52 and shifting the stop 51 bodily. The positions of the parts when stop 50 engages inclusive. Valve 27 has opened part way and stop 49 is in contact with pin 47.

Continued movement of the disk 41 in a counter clockwise direction willthereafter cause valves 27 and 29 to move in unison, the valve 27 being slightly in advance, and such motion will continue until the valve 27 reaches its fully opened position. When valve 27 is fully opened, stop 55 collides with lug 54 and further movement of throttle 27 is precluded: Further counter clockwise rotation of the disk 41 separates the pin 47 and stop 49 and stresses the spring 46. Thus, the valve 27 remains in fully opened position and valve 29 is positively moved in its opening direction by the corn tinued movement of disk 41. When the valve 29 is fully opened, the lug 33 collides with the end of the notch 32 in housing 31 and further movement of the disk 41 is arrested.

On reverse movement of the disk 41 (clockwise, with reference to Fig. 2), the valve 29 moves toward closing position until pin 47 encounters stop 49. Thereafter. the valves move together until valve 29 is urrested in its closing position. Continued movement of the disk 41- clockwise to its limiting position will then complete the closing of the valve 27 to the extent that such closing is permitted by the adjustment of the stop 57. It will be observed that the adjustment of the stop 57 does not affect the adjustment of the stop 51 and vice versa. Only two springs are used and these are housed. The device insures the complete opening of both throttles and permits the opening movement of the second throttle to commence at any desired time in the opening movement of the first.

It is important to observe that, by making the slot 53 long enough, such a range of adjustment can be secured that the device mav be set to cause both valves to commence opening simultaneously, or can be set to cause the second valve to commence its open-' ing movement only upon the completion of ,the opening movement of the first. These starts to open the first valvebefore starting to o n the second valve; and means for arresting the first valve when fully opened and overpowering said resilient connection while the second valve completes its opening movement.

2. The combination of a pair of valves; an actuator; a resilient connection between the actuator and the first valve; an adjustable lost-motion connection between the actuator and the second valve, whereby the actuator starts to open the first valve before starting to open the second valve; and means for arresting the first valve when fully opened and overpowerin said resilient connection while the secon pletes its opening movement.

3. ,The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate on a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate co-axially with said valves; a resilient connection between the actuator and the first valve; 9. lost-motion connection between the actuator ,and the second valve, whereby. the actuator starts to open the first valve before starting to open the second valve; and a stop for arresting the first valve when fully opened and overpowering said resilient connection while the second valve completes its opening movement.

valve com- 4. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate upon a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate co-axially with said valves; a resilient connection between the actuator and the first valve; an adjustable lost-motion connection between the actuator and the second valve, whereby the actuator starts to open the first valve be fore starting to open the second valve; and a stop for,arresting the first valve when fully opened and oyerpowering said resilient connection while the second valve completes its opening movement.

5. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate upon a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate co-axially with said valves; stops, one connected with the actuator and another with the first valve, arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuatorpositively to force the first valve in a closing direction; a yieldingspring opposing separation of said'stops; other stops, one connected with the actuator and the other with the second valve, one of said stops being angularly adjustable relatively to the second valve and the two being arranged to provide a-lost-motion positive connection through which the actuator opens the second valve; and a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction.

6. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate upon a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate coaxially with said valves; stops, one connected with the actuator and another with the first valve, arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator positivelyv to force the first valve in a closing direction; a yielding spring opposing separation of said stops; other-stops, one connected with the actuator and the other with the second valve, one of said stops being angularly adjustable relatively to the second valve and the two being arrangedto provide a lost-motion positive connect-ion through which the actuator opens the second valve; a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction; and an adjustable stop for limiting the closing movement of the first valve.

7. The combination of a pair of valves "mounted to rotate coaxially by means of shafts one turning within the other; spaced housings, one fixed to each of said shafts; an actuator swiveled in the space between said housings; stops, one on the actuator and the other on the first housing arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator positively to force the first valve in a closing direction; a yielding spring op-* 8. The combination of a pair of valves.

mounted to rotate coaxially by means of shafts one turning within the other; spaced housings, one fixed to each of said shafts; an actuator swiveled in the space between said housings; stops, one on the actuator and the other on the first housing arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator positively to force the'first valve' in a closing direction; a yielding spring opposing separation of said stops; other stops, one on the actuator and the other on the second housing, the second of said stops being adjustable and the two being arranged to provide a lost-motion positive connection through which the actuator opens the second valve; a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction; and an adjustable stop limiting the closing movement of the first valve.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES R. GREUTER.

4. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate upon a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate co-axially with said valves; a resilient connection between the actuator and the first valve; an adjustable lost-motion connection between the actuator and the second valve, whereby the actuator starts to open the first valve before starting to open the second valve; and a stop for .arresting the first valve when fully opened and overpowering said resilient connection while the second valve completes its opening movement.

5. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate upon a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate co-axially with said valves; stops, one connected with the actuator and another with the first valve, arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator. positively to force the first. valve in a closing direction; a yielding spring opposing separation of said'stops; other stops, one connected with the actuator and the other with the second valve, one of said "stops being angularly adjustable relatively to the second valve and the 'two being arranged to provide a-lost-motion positive connection through which the actuator opens the second valve; and a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction.

6. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate upon a common axis; an actuator mounted to rotate co-axially with said valves; stops, one connected with the actuator and another with the first valve, arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator positively to force the first valve in a closing direction; a yielding spring opposing separation of said stops; other stops, one connected with the actuator and the other with the second valve. one of said stops being angularly adjustable relatively to the second valve and the two being arrangedto provide a lost-motion positive connection through which the actuator opens the second valve; a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction; and an adjustable stop for limiting the closing movement of the first valve.

7. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate coaxially by means of shafts one turning within the other; spaced housings, one fixed to each of said shafts; an actuator swiveled in the space between said housings; stops, one on the actuator and the other on the first housing arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator positively to force the first valve in a closing direction; a yielding spring opposing separation of said stops; other stops, one on the actuator and the other on the second valve housing, the second of said stops being adjustable and the two being arranged to provide a lost-motion positive connection through which the actuator opens the second valve; and a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction.

8. The combination of a pair of valves mounted to rotate coaxially by means of shafts one turning within the other; spaced housings. one fixed to each of said shafts; an actuator swiveled in the space between said housings; stops, one on the actuator and the other on the first housing arranged to engage and thereby enable the actuator positively to force the-first valve in a closing direction; a yielding spring opposing separation of said stops; other steps, one on the actuator and the other on the second housing, the second of said stops being adjustable and the two being arranged to provide a lost-motion positive connection through which the actuator opens the second valve; a spring urging the second valve in a closing direction; and an adjustable stop limiting the closing movement of the first valve.

, In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s )ecification.

C ARLES R. GREUTER.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,598,716, granted September 7, 19%, upon the application of Charles R. Greuter, of Chicago, Illinois, for an unprovement in alve Actuators, errors appear in the printed specification requirmg correction as follows: Page 3, line 119, claim 3, for the word on read about;

page 4, lines 2, 15, and 32, claims 4, 5, and 6, respectively, for the word upon read about; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of October, A. D. 1926.

[emu] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,598,716, granted September 7, 1926, upon the application of Charles R. Greater, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in alve Actuators, errors appear in the printed specification requirlng correction as follows: Page 3, line 119, claim 3, for the word on read about; page 4, lines 2, 15, and 32, claims 4, 5, and 6, respectively, for the word upon read about; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these COXTBCtiOl'lS therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of October, A. D. 1926.

M. J. MOORE,

[SEAL] Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

